I cannot speak on IMAX 3D as I do not work on it. Regarding Dolby 3D, RealD, and MasterImage 3D; All of these system use a digital projector, there is no 35mm film involved.
Dolby uses a spinning "notch filter" wheel in the light path as well as reusable glasses. This system usually has the highest light requirement and needs a 1.8 gain screen (although not silver). Glasses are reusable, and should be cleaned by the theater (this does not always happen). To my eyes, this system has inferior 3D image quality.
MasterImage 3D uses a large spinning polarization disc mounted on a cart rolled in front of the projector. It requires a silver screen and glasses are disposable. In poorly constructed theaters, the noise from the disc motor can be audible. To my eyes, 3D image quality appears better than Dolby but not as good as RealD.
RealD has both active and passive systems. Active systems (Z-screen and XL) are used with NEC, Barco, and Christie projectors. The passive system consisting of a special lens with polarized glass filters is used with Sony projectors. Both require a silver screen and use disposable glasses. Keep in mind that the "superior" resolution of the Sony 4K system is not used in 3D as the image is made up of 2K for left eye and 2K for right eye. As such it is resolution equivalent to the NEC, Barco, and Christie .98" chip systems as well as 1.2" chip systems that have been upgraded.
Given all these variables, I do not see how it is possible for a customer to know what precisely which 3D system they are watching although the logo on the glasses should give you some clue. I know most theater staff don't know or care what system they have. Good luck!
@Trevor What movie did you watch with each 3D system. I find it surprising that you found the Dolby 3D system the worse when most reviews I've read online stating that they had the best 3D effect. Maybe not the best color uniformity but the best 3D. Also the RealD at my local Regal Theater reuses there 3D glasses so the Dolby system is not the system that does that. Now I've never seen the Dolby 3D in person but I'm going to give it a try this weekend while seeing Avatar.
@buck11772 RealD glasses are recycled (blue standees outside theater doors). If your local theater is reusing them, then you should wonder what they're up to. They are supposed to remove the shipping box from the standee when it's full and ship it to the recycling center.
I have seen too many 3D movies and trailers to recall what I have seen on which system. I have done back to back installs of RealD and Dolby for the same feature releases and, to my eyes, the RealD looks better. I have no doubt that the Dolby technology is superior, but my eyes like the RealD. It seems crisper and brighter.
I am curious to watch all of Avatar because all of the other 3D live action features have looked bad. The CGI features always trump the live action features in 3D. Avatar is both, so it will be a good comparison. Of course, this has nothing to do with "exhibition" and is completely at the mercy of "production".
Still another company with 3D technology is XpanD which utilize active shutter glasses. Interestingly enough these same glasses can be used for home systems. Here are a couple additions about each technology that I have read.
IMAX 3D is based on linear polarized glasses. RealD/MasterImage 3D are both based on circular polarized glasses Dolby 3D is based on color shifts, the RGB spectrum is shifted slightly for each eye and the glasses correct these.
I have experience IMAX 3D, RealD, and Dolby 3D and so far I like Dolby 3D. I am going tomorrow to see XpanD for Avatar and we will see if active is the best.
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I cannot speak on IMAX 3D as I do not work on it. Regarding Dolby 3D, RealD, and MasterImage 3D; All of these system use a digital projector, there is no 35mm film involved.
Dolby uses a spinning "notch filter" wheel in the light path as well as reusable glasses. This system usually has the highest light requirement and needs a 1.8 gain screen (although not silver). Glasses are reusable, and should be cleaned by the theater (this does not always happen). To my eyes, this system has inferior 3D image quality.
MasterImage 3D uses a large spinning polarization disc mounted on a cart rolled in front of the projector. It requires a silver screen and glasses are disposable. In poorly constructed theaters, the noise from the disc motor can be audible. To my eyes, 3D image quality appears better than Dolby but not as good as RealD.
RealD has both active and passive systems. Active systems (Z-screen and XL) are used with NEC, Barco, and Christie projectors. The passive system consisting of a special lens with polarized glass filters is used with Sony projectors. Both require a silver screen and use disposable glasses. Keep in mind that the "superior" resolution of the Sony 4K system is not used in 3D as the image is made up of 2K for left eye and 2K for right eye. As such it is resolution equivalent to the NEC, Barco, and Christie .98" chip systems as well as 1.2" chip systems that have been upgraded.
Given all these variables, I do not see how it is possible for a customer to know what precisely which 3D system they are watching although the logo on the glasses should give you some clue. I know most theater staff don't know or care what system they have. Good luck!
@Trevor What movie did you watch with each 3D system. I find it surprising that you found the Dolby 3D system the worse when most reviews I've read online stating that they had the best 3D effect. Maybe not the best color uniformity but the best 3D. Also the RealD at my local Regal Theater reuses there 3D glasses so the Dolby system is not the system that does that. Now I've never seen the Dolby 3D in person but I'm going to give it a try this weekend while seeing Avatar.
@buck11772 RealD glasses are recycled (blue standees outside theater doors). If your local theater is reusing them, then you should wonder what they're up to. They are supposed to remove the shipping box from the standee when it's full and ship it to the recycling center.
I have seen too many 3D movies and trailers to recall what I have seen on which system. I have done back to back installs of RealD and Dolby for the same feature releases and, to my eyes, the RealD looks better. I have no doubt that the Dolby technology is superior, but my eyes like the RealD. It seems crisper and brighter.
I am curious to watch all of Avatar because all of the other 3D live action features have looked bad. The CGI features always trump the live action features in 3D. Avatar is both, so it will be a good comparison. Of course, this has nothing to do with "exhibition" and is completely at the mercy of "production".
@Trevor
Still another company with 3D technology is XpanD which utilize active shutter glasses. Interestingly enough these same glasses can be used for home systems. Here are a couple additions about each technology that I have read.
IMAX 3D is based on linear polarized glasses.
RealD/MasterImage 3D are both based on circular polarized glasses
Dolby 3D is based on color shifts, the RGB spectrum is shifted slightly for each eye and the glasses correct these.
I have experience IMAX 3D, RealD, and Dolby 3D and so far I like Dolby 3D. I am going tomorrow to see XpanD for Avatar and we will see if active is the best.